As part of the overall Jane Byrne Interchange project, bridge reconstruction work began on the Harrison Street “West” Bridge over the Southbound Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) & Halsted Street Bridge over the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) on March 3, 2014!

Harrison Street “West” Bridge was closed beginning March 3, 2014. The bridge work is complete, but will remain closed until the “East” Bridge (over Northbound I-90/94) is completed.

The detour route for Harrison Street is along Van Buren, Racine, Jefferson and Clinton Streets.

Halsted Street Bridge work began on March 10, 2014. Halsted Street Bridge remains open to traffic with one lane of traffic in each direction during construction. Construction has been completed on the east half of the bridge and is underway on the west half of the bridge. The remaining bridge deck is scheduled to be poured in February 2016. Following completion of the west half of the bridge, construction of the east sidewalk will be completed.

Sidewalks on the Halsted Street Bridge remain open to pedestrian traffic during construction. However, short term closures of the CTA station entrance are anticipated for pouring concrete for the bridge deck. As the CTA station entrance on the bridge is an ADA compliant station, the CTA station entrance connection on the west side of Halsted Street will be maintained. This is being accommodated through a temporary pedestrian bridge that provides pedestrian access from the east half of the bridge to the existing CTA station entrance on the west side of Halsted Street while the west half of the bridge is under construction.

Lane shifts will be needed on Southbound I-90/94 and I-290 to enable bridge pier and abutment construction. A lane closure on Westbound I-290 is anticipated from Jefferson Street to the merging of the SW and NW ramp for maintaining traffic.

The construction contract was awarded to Walsh Construction on December 10, 2013, and the scope of work involves the complete removal and replacement of the existing bridge structures on Harrison Street “West” Bridge over the Southbound Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) & Halsted Street Bridge over the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290). The new bridge structures will be longer and reconfigured to create space underneath to accommodate the future improvements planned for the interchange between the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) and I-290, locally known as the Jane Byrne Interchange.

Halsted Street Features Include

When completed, Halsted Street will consist of 2 lanes in each direction, reducing to 1 lane each direction by Van Buren Street intersection

Sidewalk on both sides varying in width from 10 to 15 feet

A dedicated 5 ft. bike lane in each direction

Modernized traffic signal at the intersection of Harrison/Halsted

New roadway lighting

Upgraded underpass bridge lighting underneath

A new pedestrian crosswalk with a traffic signal across Halsted Street at the existing CTA Station, including a new overhead canopy

Harrison Street Features Include

1 lane in each direction

Sidewalk on both sides varying in width from 7 to 11 ft.

A dedicated 7 ft. bike lane in each direction

New roadway lighting

Upgraded underpass bridge lighting underneath

The existing approach roadways to the bridges will also be reconstructed within the project limits. Existing sidewalks within the project limits will be reconstructed to current ADA standards per the City of Chicago requirements and existing bridge mounted signs will be upgraded.

The new canopy structure across Halsted Street from the CTA station consists of an upper canopy over Halsted Street and a lower canopy over the sidewalk in front of the CTA station entrance. A pedestrian only signal is also proposed at the location of the canopy to provide access for the CTA Bus Stop on the east side of the bridge to the CTA station on the west side of the bridge.

The Department appreciates your patience and understanding as we work to improve the multi-modal connections in your community.

If you have questions or comments regarding the construction activities, please submit via the Stay Informed.